John Imbriale in the box. (NYRA photo)
NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that John Imbriale has retired as NYRA’s track announcer, bringing to an end a distinguished 44-year career at NYRA in which he called many of the biggest races at Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack.
Imbriale’s tenure with NYRA dates to 1979 when he won a New York Daily News contest, which gave him the opportunity to call a race and work with the NYRA press office. In 1990, the Queens, New York native became Tom Durkin’s backup and along the way, took on other responsibilities at NYRA by working with Harvey Pack on the popular Inside Racing program, and in a variety of roles within NYRA TV.
Imbriale took over as NYRA’s full-time track announcer in January 2020. In doing so, he joined a line of distinguished New York race callers that included Durkin as well as the likes of Marshall Cassidy, Dave Johnson, Chic Anderson and Fred “Cappy” Capossela with a lineage stretching clear back to the 1930s and ’40s.
In 2023, Imbriale transitioned from full time to seasonal duties as the primary announcer at Belmont Park and the Belmont at the Big A fall meet. Imbriale handed the Saratoga baton to Frank Mirahmadi, who called his first Saratoga meet in 2023 and will return in 2024. Also in 2023, Chris Griffin joined NYRA to become the track announcer for the winter and spring meets at Aqueduct.
With Imbriale’s retirement, Griffin will expand his role and handle all race calling duties at Aqueduct.
“When I think about all the things that I was fortunate to do at NYRA, the best part was being able to work with a lot of talented, wonderful people, from Harvey Pack and Charlsie Cantey to Tom Durkin and all the behind-the-scenes people in NYRA TV, simulcasting and the press office,” said Imbriale. “When I walked into the booth at Saratoga for the first time after taking over as the full-time announcer in 2020, I literally got goose bumps thinking of those who had gone before me, greats like Fred Capossela, Marshall Cassidy, Chic Anderson, Dave Johnson and Tom. I got to do just about everything I wanted to do at NYRA. That’s how fortunate I was. I really feel that way.”
NYRA President & CEO Dave O’Rourke called Imbriale, “an ambassador for our sport in so many ways.”
“John’s contributions went beyond an unwavering accuracy in calling the races,” he said. “He conveyed excitement whether it was a Grade 1 at Saratoga or a mid-week claimer, and in doing so, helped fans learn about and better appreciate thoroughbred racing. John is also one of the true gentlemen of racing and a role model and mentor to a generation of NYRA staff.”
Imbriale said he stays abreast of New York racing by watching America’s Day at the Races and keeping up with his many friends in the racing world, and that he plans to attend the 156th running of Belmont Stakes on June 8 at Saratoga Race Course.
